Bill would require warrant for tracking cellphones

The Wisconsin Assembly is considering legislation that would require police to get a warrant before tracking a citizen's cellphone. Facebook photo

MADISON — Legislation that would require police to get a warrant before tracking a citizen's cellphone has bipartisan support in the state Assembly.

The bill creates legal perimeters for authorities who want to locate a suspect electronically. It would still allow investigators to act quickly in an emergency.

Democratic Rep. Melissa Sargent says privacy is of concern to her constituents in her Madison district as well as those in conservative areas, including Brookfield, represented by her Republican co-sponsor, Rob Hutton.

Sargent tells the Journal Sentinel many people are surprised that government officials can and do conduct such electronic surveillance. The proposed legislation comes after reports that the National Security Agency has been tracking the locations of hundreds of millions of cellphones around the world.